Motor Authority - blog Tag: Lutz

  • Report: Growing Support Within GM For Production Cadillac Converj

    Report: Growing Support Within GM For Production Cadillac Converj August 25th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, August 25th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 7 Comments

    Report: Growing Support Within GM For Production Cadillac Converj

    One of the most exciting cars from January’s Detroit Auto Show was the Cadillac Converj concept car, which General Motors used to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in a luxury platform. Despite the concept featuring one of the most striking designs we’ve seen in a while, GM's then vice chairman Bob Lutz said it was designed so that any eventual production version would look “exactly like” the show car, hinting that we may eventually see such a car in showrooms.

    The company’s financial state, however, says the opposite, but there remains a chance the Converj may make it out of the economic storm. One of the biggest opponents to the car...

    One of the most exciting cars from January’s Detroit Auto Show was the Cadillac Converj concept car, which General Motors used to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in a luxury platform. Despite the concept featuring one of the most striking designs we’ve seen in a while, GM's then vice chairman Bob Lutz said it was designed so that any eventual production version would look “exactly like” the show car, hinting that we may eventually see such a car in showrooms. The company’s financial state, however, says the opposite, but there remains a chance the Converj may make it out of the economic storm. One of the biggest opponents to the car was the U.S. Treasury Dept.'s auto task force, which questioned the economics of such an expensive model. However, a group within GM, led by new marketing chief Bob Lutz, is reportedly trying to find a way to get the car engineered and funded. It could potentially serve as a technology halo for the Cadillac brand although it wouldn’t go on sale until around 2014 if given the green light. According to previous reports, the car would be based on the same Delta platform as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, and power would also come from the same Voltec plug-in hybrid system. Inside sources have also previously revealed that a seven-seater MPV plug-in hybrid was in the pipeline--already previewed by the 2008 Chevrolet Orlando concept. The Cadillac plug-in hybrid would feature extra batteries to power a higher-output electric motor than the one in the Volt. The styling of the vehicle would also be slightly different to the Converj concept as much of internal structure, such as the firewall, would need to be sourced from the taller Volt. GM has consistently stated that its Voltec plug-in hybrid system would be used in other models to spread the investment costs as much as possible, and reports of a Cadillac plug-in hybrid date back as far as August, 2008. [BusinessWeek] Read More

  • Official: GM And Koenigsegg Reach Agreement Over Saab

    Official: GM And Koenigsegg Reach Agreement Over Saab August 18th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, August 18th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Official: GM And Koenigsegg Reach Agreement Over Saab

    General Motors and Koenigsegg Group AB, a consortium led by supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg, have officially reached an agreement over the sale of Saab after nearly two decades of American ownership. GM has confirmed today that it has signed a stock purchase agreement with Koenigsegg Group AB regarding the sale of 100% of the shares of Saab.

    The deal is expected to conclude in the next months and will then secure Saab’s future, with the Swedish automaker set to exit legal reorganization shortly. The stock purchase agreement will be subject to agreed closing conditions, namely, the guarantee of funding commitments from the Swedish...

    General Motors and Koenigsegg Group AB, a consortium led by supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg, have officially reached an agreement over the sale of Saab after nearly two decades of American ownership. GM has confirmed today that it has signed a stock purchase agreement with Koenigsegg Group AB regarding the sale of 100% of the shares of Saab. The deal is expected to conclude in the next months and will then secure Saab’s future, with the Swedish automaker set to exit legal reorganization shortly. The stock purchase agreement will be subject to agreed closing conditions, namely, the guarantee of funding commitments from the Swedish government, as well as transitional assistance from GM. As part of the proposed transaction, GM and Saab will continue to share technology and services during a defined time period, all managed through licenses and service agreements. Koenigsegg co-owner Baard Eker has previously stated that his company has several good solutions to bring into Saab. Strong words coming from a man whose company has less than 50 employees and turns out only a handful of $1 million supercars each year, but with the new funding Saab should be able to successfully launch three new models over the next 18 months and hopefully see the company become an innovator of technology like it had been in the past. The three new models planned include the recently revealed 9-3X as well as the new 9-4X and aforementioned 9-5. Koenigsegg, meanwhile, will reportedly benefit from Saab’s existing production facilities and plans to use the capacity for its upcoming Quant electric supercar. Last year Saab saw its global sales drop 25.5% to just 93,338 units and 2009 is expected to be even lower. The struggling automaker had originally filed for reorganization under Swedish Law on February 20, 2009. Read More

  • GM returns to luxury leasing

    GM returns to luxury leasing August 3rd, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, August 3rd, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    GM returns to luxury leasing General Motors announced a new leasing program today with enhanced lease deals on select 2009 and 2010 Cadillac and Buick models as well as several GMC and Chevrolet models. The leases, offered by U.S. Bank, are part of a pilot program that includes select GM vehicles sold in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Ohio. In addition, a lease on the all-new Cadillac SRX will be offered by U.S. Bank nationally. The pilot is currently planned to run through August 31, 2009.

    GM exited the leasing market almost exactly one year ago on the back of falling profits and low demand for its vehicles, but demand has picked up in recent months.... General Motors announced a new leasing program today with enhanced lease deals on select 2009 and 2010 Cadillac and Buick models as well as several GMC and Chevrolet models. The leases, offered by U.S. Bank, are part of a pilot program that includes select GM vehicles sold in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Ohio. In addition, a lease on the all-new Cadillac SRX will be offered by U.S. Bank nationally. The pilot is currently planned to run through August 31, 2009. GM exited the leasing market almost exactly one year ago on the back of falling profits and low demand for its vehicles, but demand has picked up in recent months. According to statistics from LeaseTrader.com, which tracks activity in the secondary lease market, demand for Cadillac Escalade leases has risen 22% over the past year, while demand for the Buick Enclave has risen 18%. "GM and our dealers have done an incredible job without a leasing program throughout this difficult economic period, but we always knew that we would get back into leasing as it is important to a certain group of our customers," said Mark LaNeve, GM vice president of U.S. sales. "We have a number of products that offer a great opportunity for a lease option. Also, leases are an important part of the luxury market, so we decided that launching the all-new 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover with a national lease will add a lot of excitement." Initially, lease offers will be available on the 2009 Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu and Traverse. For 2010 models, leases will also be available on the Cadillac SRX, Buick LaCrosse and Enclave, the GMC Acadia and the Chevrolet Equinox. Monthly payments will vary according to the customer's down payment and the first month's payment due at signing, but are expected to be very competitive. No security deposit will be required. Read More

  • Designer Brian Nesbitt to take on chief role at Cadillac

    Designer Brian Nesbitt to take on chief role at Cadillac July 22nd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, July 22nd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Designer Brian Nesbitt to take on chief role at Cadillac General Motors’ management shuffle following its bankruptcy proceeding shows no signs of slowing, with news today that designer Bryan Nesbitt is set to become the new chief of Cadillac. Already we’ve seen CEO Fritz Henderson personally take on the role of chief of GM’s North American operations, and before that Bob Lutz came out of retirement to take up a new marketing role.

    The latest appointment of Nesbitt as Cadillac’s chief is scheduled to be announced Thursday and takes effect from August 1, GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan confirmed to Automotive News. Rhadigan also revealed that interim Cadillac general managers... General Motors’ management shuffle following its bankruptcy proceeding shows no signs of slowing, with news today that designer Bryan Nesbitt is set to become the new chief of Cadillac. Already we’ve seen CEO Fritz Henderson personally take on the role of chief of GM’s North American operations, and before that Bob Lutz came out of retirement to take up a new marketing role. The latest appointment of Nesbitt as Cadillac’s chief is scheduled to be announced Thursday and takes effect from August 1, GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan confirmed to Automotive News. Rhadigan also revealed that interim Cadillac general managers Steve Hill and Steve Shannon will be reassigned and their new positions will be announced soon. Nesbitt has been with GM for the past eight years and is currently positioned as the automaker’s chief of North American design. However, his most famous career episode is probably his involvement with the design of Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. Incidentally, Nesbitt worked closely with Bob Lutz when designing the PT Cruiser and the two will now work closely again as Nesbitt will be reporting directly to Lutz at his new position at Cadillac. Read More

  • Bob Lutz kills rumors of Pontiac G8 becoming Chevy Caprice

    Bob Lutz kills rumors of Pontiac G8 becoming Chevy Caprice July 16th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, July 16th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 41 Comments

    Bob Lutz kills rumors of Pontiac G8 becoming Chevy Caprice Pontiac may be dead in the water but some enthusiasts - and until today, Bob Lutz among them - have been clamoring for at least one of the brand’s cars to be rebadged and sold under another GM brand - the Australian-built Pontiac G8. Designed and constructed by GM's Holden subsidiary Down Under, the G8 had been pegged for re-branding as a Chevrolet Caprice. Today, however, Bob Lutz made it clear that no such plans are in the works.

    GM CEO Fritz Henderson has previously answered with a resounding "no" when talking about a future for the Pontiac G8 GXP, but today's news sounds the death knell for the more rational G8 and G8 GT as well.... Pontiac may be dead in the water but some enthusiasts - and until today, Bob Lutz among them - have been clamoring for at least one of the brand’s cars to be rebadged and sold under another GM brand - the Australian-built Pontiac G8. Designed and constructed by GM's Holden subsidiary Down Under, the G8 had been pegged for re-branding as a Chevrolet Caprice. Today, however, Bob Lutz made it clear that no such plans are in the works. GM CEO Fritz Henderson has previously answered with a resounding "no" when talking about a future for the Pontiac G8 GXP, but today's news sounds the death knell for the more rational G8 and G8 GT as well. On the GM Fastlane Blog, Lutz wrote, "The G8 will not be a Caprice after all. I’d mentioned it, and said we were studying it, giving it a serious look, because a car like the G8 was just too good to waste. That’s all still true. I have to say that, with my new 'marketing' hat on, upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be." Henderson ostensibly remains committed to retain other aspects of GM's sporting heritage, including previous assurances that the Corvette will remain in the portfolio along with other performance models. The G8-to-Caprice rumor started with Lutz himself. Within hours of announcing his plans to take on a marketing role at GM, Lutz revealed to Automobile Magazine that the Pontiac G8 would find its way into Chevrolet showrooms under the Caprice name. "The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet," Lutz said. "It is kind of too good to waste." Lutz also explained that GM’s U.S. operations still has export agreements with Australia and its Holden subsidiary, and also mentioned that the Pontiac G8 is sold in other markets, such as South Africa and the Middle East, wearing Chevrolet badges. The rumor gained further credence when an 'insider' revealed a supposed plan from within GM. Speaking with Automotive News, the insider claimed that one possible option was to make the G8 a Chevrolet flagship sedan and price it relatively high. The insider also reaffirmed Lutz’s comments that the car would likely be renamed the Caprice, as well as revealing that the 415hp (310kW) G8 GXP might be retained as a sort of a “five-passenger Corvette” type of vehicle as well as a law enforcement vehicle. Instead, the new national fuel economy standards have carried the day, and the G8 will no longer see American shores under any badge. Unfortunately, the model loss may not stop there, as GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson explained that there are “real issues with CAFE and rear-wheel drive.”2009 Pontiac G8 GXPPontiac G8 Read More

  • Bob Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, hints at Sport Wagon

    Bob Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, hints at Sport Wagon July 14th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, July 14th, 2009 James Martinez 6 Comments

    Bob Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, hints at Sport Wagon A rebadged Pontiac G8 isn’t the only new model General Motors’ new marketing czar Bob Lutz is shouting about. During a Web-chat held on GM’s own FastLane blog, Lutz was open to a number of questions about the company’s future plans and went as far as confirming a couple.

    One of the models that have been given the production green light is a high-performance CTS-V Coupe from Cadillac. The stylish CTS Coupe, which was first presented in concept form at last year’s Detroit Auto Show, and then confirmed for production in GM’s viability presentation earlier this year, will hit the streets in the middle of... A rebadged Pontiac G8 isn’t the only new model General Motors’ new marketing czar Bob Lutz is shouting about. During a Web-chat held on GM’s own FastLane blog, Lutz was open to a number of questions about the company’s future plans and went as far as confirming a couple. One of the models that have been given the production green light is a high-performance CTS-V Coupe from Cadillac. The stylish CTS Coupe, which was first presented in concept form at last year’s Detroit Auto Show, and then confirmed for production in GM’s viability presentation earlier this year, will hit the streets in the middle of next year as a 2011 model and will now be offered with the CTS-V option. "As of now the V package is planned only for the sedan and coupe," Lutz wrote. This means the car is likely to pack the same 556hp and 551lb-ft of torque supercharged 6.2L V8 found in the regular CTS-V Sedan. Lutz went on to hint at the possibility of a CTS-V version of the upcoming CTS Sport Wagon. Lutz said that if the demand exists, "there is no reason why we couldn't do a V-Series wagon, and I would be standing in line for one, just ahead of you."Cadillac CTS Coupe2009 Cadillac CTS-V Read More

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